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Russian Slaps ™ On ;-)

Entrepreneur seeks to nudge businesses into paying $$$ for use of emoticon

By Rob Quinn,  Newser Staff

Posted Dec 12, 2008 6:01 AM CST
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(Newser) – A Russian businessman says he has been granted the trademark for the ;-) emoticon and will start charging for its use, the BBC reports. The entrepreneur, president of the Superfone mobile phone advertising company, doesn't plan to go after individual users but intends to ask corporations to pay for a license. The trademark may also cover :-) and :), he said.

Critics doubt the patent claim has any legal basis, and while the businessman says a license to use ;-) "won't cost that much—tens of thousands of dollars," few believe that anybody will be hoodwinked into coughing up. "You're not likely to find any retards in Russia who'll pay Superfone for the use of emoticons," said the chief of a Russian social networking site.

The businessman says a license to use ;-) can be granted for mere tens of thousands of dollars a year.
The businessman says a license to use ;-) can be granted for mere tens of thousands of dollars a year.   (©schoschie)
A Russian businessman says the country's federal patent agency has granted him a trademark for the use of ;-).
A Russian businessman says the country's federal patent agency has granted him a trademark for the use of ;-).   (©?Bahadorjn)
The businessman says other emoticons, including ;-) and :), may be covered by his patent on ;-).
The businessman says other emoticons, including ;-) and :), may be covered by his patent on ;-).   (©schoschie)
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COMMENTS
Showing 2 of 2 comments
Guest
Dec 14, 2008 5:30 AM CST
That's the most retarded patent I've ever heard of somebody getting. And the fact that it was granted to him? Wow..
Zebraone
Dec 12, 2008 4:29 AM CST
He must have been using the left over ethanol from the last crop of potatoes.~~~ :>)

Russian slaps trademark on wink
Tech.Blorge

 
Russia • text message • trademark • emoticon • texting • patent

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